Global meltdown impact
By IANSTuesday, April 7, 2009
NEW DELHI - It could be the global meltdown impact - at least for the Congress in Kerala.
A senior party leader said in Thiruvananthapuram that the party headquarters there functions as the control room and the campaign cell. But it is not taking off because money is in shortage.
‘The control room is headed by Joseph Vazhakan and the campaign committee is headed by Vakkom Purushothaman. But the campaign is yet to be launched. If the campaign has to reach the grass roots, money has to flow,’ said the leader.
The source of money is mostly from the All India Congress Committee, funds raised by the candidate and also contributions from the state party.
‘The contribution from the AICC is given out after a candidate authorizes his nominee to collect the money and the person has to be identified by a member of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee who is in Delhi,’ added the leader.
The money is distributed for publicity and also for bringing in top notch speakers of the party to different constituencies.
‘Time is running out because all campaign ends on the 14th and in between there are a few holidays on account of Easter and Vishu.’
Leaders are hoping that with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi planning to tour the state, the party could open the purse strings.
